Innovative Functional Oxide Materials for Green Hydrogen Energy Production

Project Information

H-GREEN

Grant agreement ID: 101130520

DOI

10.3030/101130520

EC signature date 20 September 2023

Start date 1 March 2024

End date 29 February 2028

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 1 260 400,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITE DE PICARDIE JULES VERNE
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - H-GREEN (Innovative Functional Oxide Materials for Green Hydrogen Energy Production)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2026-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Europe's drive for clean energy is enhancing the cost-effectiveness of established technologies and fostering innovative ones like low-emission hydrogen, propelling a worldwide clean energy economy. Hydrogen serves as a versatile energy carrier, currently produced primarily from fossil fuels for use in refining and chemical industries, generating significant CO2 emissions. In contrast, Green Hydrogen is produced via electrolysis using renewable sources like wind and solar, offering a sustainable solution that reduces greenhouse gases and dependency on volatile fossil fuels. This shift is supported by European initiatives and is crucial for regions, where energy security and economic stability are tightly interlinked with the development of renewable energy sources.

The H-GREEN project aims to address the global energy crisis by advancing pioneering technologies and materials in the photo-, pyro-, and electro-catalysis of water splitting. The project will leverage the unique properties of functional oxide materials to facilitate the cost-effective production of green hydrogen through water splitting, aligned with climate objectives in Europe. The objective of the project is to advance pioneering technologies in photo-, pyro-, and electro-catalysis of water splitting. These innovations will facilitate the cost-effective production of green hydrogen by leveraging the unique properties of functional oxide materials. The consortium consists of fundamental research organizations and industrial companies with the expertise needed to solve this critical problem. Our research partners include the University of Picardie - UPJV (France) and the Joseph Stephan Institute - JSI (Slovenia), as well as the applied Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems at FRAUNHOFER Society (Germany). Two industrial companies, NANOTECH (Ukraine) and STERIMED (Morocco), are also part of our consortium. Through secondments and knowledge-sharing training, we'll equip a new cluster of material scientists with the skills and expertise needed to develop H-GREEN technologies that will power the world sustainably.
The project aims to significantly enhance our knowledge and technology in sustainable energy, particularly in hydrogen production, through advanced catalytic processes and materials.

Key anticipated impacts include:
Scientific Advances:
- Enhanced efficiencies in photo-, pyro-, and electro-catalytic water splitting, using innovations like tandem solar cells, multijunction oxides, and efficient steam electrodes.
- Advancements in materials science, notably in oxide nanopowders and (Ba,Sr)TiO3 ferroelectrics, could revolutionize CO2 reduction processes and other sustainable technologies.
Economic and Technological Benefits:
- Cost-effective hydrogen production, driven by low-temperature catalysis and solar energy, could reduce costs and foster energy independence.
- Scalable processes promise broader industrial application and job creation, while innovative technologies could stimulate further research and investment.
Societal Contributions:
- Promoting energy independence through solar-driven hydrogen production, enhancing access to clean energy, especially in remote areas.
- Potential for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and public health, and contributing to climate change mitigation.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project is progressed in line with the planned scientific and technical objectives, with substantial advances achieved in all three research work packages dedicated to photocatalysis, pyrocatalysis, and electrocatalysis for sustainable hydrogen production and related green-energy applications.
Within WP1 (Photocatalysis), advanced oxide photocatalysts were successfully developed and characterised. Two main material families were investigated: perovskite-based SrTiO₃/Bi₄Ti₃O₁2 heterostructures and MnO2-based multifunctional nanoheterostructures. Optimised synthesis routes enabled control of morphology, surface area, and phase composition. Several materials demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity and good operational stability. Clear correlations between synthesis conditions, structure, and catalytic performance were established.
Within WP2 (Pyrocatalysis), lead-free ferroelectric and multiferroic materials with promising pyrocatalytic properties were synthesised and evaluated. KNbO₃ nanoplates, BaTiO₃-based systems, and related compositions showed efficient hydrogen production and dye degradation under cyclic thermal stimulation, demonstrating their potential for low-temperature energy harvesting catalysis. Additional progress was achieved in thin-film processing and optimisation of functional oxide coatings through collaborative secondments. These results provide a solid basis for the next-stage validation of pyrocatalytic materials with application-relevant properties.
Within WP3 (Electrocatalysis), significant progress was achieved in the development of ceria-based nanomaterials for solid oxide electrolysis applications. Nanostructured CeO2 systems doped with Gd and La, as well as hybrid composites containing Ag, Co, and Cu, were synthesised and characterised. Stable nanopowders and slurry formulations suitable for electrode infiltration were prepared, creating the basis for electrochemical testing and later-stage device integration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has already generated several results that go beyond the current state of the art in the field of green hydrogen materials and low-temperature catalytic energy conversion. By combining photocatalysis, pyrocatalysis, and electrocatalysis within a single coordinated research framework, the project has created a unique multidisciplinary platform addressing hydrogen production from complementary perspectives.
In photocatalysis, novel perovskite-based heterostructures and MnO2 polymorphic nanoheterostructures with controlled morphology, high surface area, and enhanced hydrogen evolution performance were developed. The establishment of clear structure–property relationships provides new design strategies for next-generation solar-driven catalysts.
In pyrocatalysis, advanced lead-free ferroelectric materials demonstrated efficient hydrogen production and pollutant degradation under mild cyclic thermal stimulation. These results extend the practical relevance of pyrocatalysis toward ambient-condition energy harvesting and environmental remediation, representing an important step beyond conventional thermally driven catalytic approaches.
In electrocatalysis, new ceria-based nanocomposites and infiltration-ready functional slurries were developed for solid oxide electrolysis systems. These materials offer potential for reduced polarization resistance, improved catalytic activity, and lower-cost hydrogen production technologies.
Beyond individual technical advances, the project has demonstrated the strong value of integrating nanostructured oxides, ferroelectrics, and electrochemical materials science into a common innovation pathway. This creates opportunities for future hybrid systems combining multiple catalytic mechanisms.